The FUJI “XF 2X TC’ TELECONVERTER

Back in October while on the east coast I stopped by Fujifilm’s USA Headquarters in Valhalla NY(just north of NYC –about 45 minutes). We had a great lunch and some interesting discussions. It was great to meet some new folks I had not met before . Just as I was leaving, Justin Stailey, Fuji’s Sr. Product Manager held in his hand something he just received from Japan. It was the 2x converter. One of the things I love about working with Fuji is that I don’t have to say things just to say them. If there is something that I really don’t like they want to know it. In other words.. they get it.. they listen. I told Justin that in my 25 or so years, “I’ve seen 2x converters come and go. Some were terrible, some we just passable and if Fuji could make one that really works and maintains the optical performance of the original lens ….That would be a first in my book”. He smiled and told me I would be surprised—I was!

OK… the verdict it in.. they did it! It was fun testing this product. First, I noticed no real aberration..NONE! at any apertures. NONE!!!! I bet someone will test this with high quality testing equipment and write “See there some aberration with this teleconverter”…. but folks.. it isn’t AT ALL VISIBLE TO THE EYE!.

In addition, I put it to the ultimate test, photographing moving objects. Now those of you who know me know I’m really not a wildlife or bird photographer, though I love those kinds of photography as well when the opportunity is there, but I went out to my local airport as well to Whidbey Island where the US NAVY has a huge air station. I mounted the 2x on my 100-400mm and went to work. The results were astounding.

Contrast detection Auto Focus is still maintained when using he 100-400mm. I was amazed on how well and how accurate the auto focus performed at shallow depth of fields.

In the image below( a modified F18 that the Navy calls a “Growler”) I use ISO1000 since I had plenty of light. This was shot at 1/4000 at F5.4 using the 100-400mm lend on a tripod.

This image was not cropped–full frame. The plane was moving, I would estimate about 4000-500MPH

Here are a few other images—notice the sharpness

(left) using the Fuji 50-140mm –no teleconverter—below –I used the 2x on the 100-400 to get in tight.

Finally—THIS IMAGE (the EAGLE)IS HAND HELD!–yes the IS ( image stabilization) unaffected WHEN USING THE 2x CONVERTER. The eagle below was shot at ISO 1250 1/450 at F 6.4

FINAL THOUGHTS: This teleconverter will perform ONLY with the

FUJINON XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR or XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR

The 2X converter is the same price as the 1.4!–even better–$449.00 MSRP.